Young striker Winchester learning from experience

The 18-year-old Naparima College student made his club debut with W Connection last year, and he earned a call-up to the national team’s training squad, under Latapy, for the 2010 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Final Round qualifier against Mexico (last October), as well as the May 5 friendly international away to Chile.

In an interview on the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) website, Winchester said: “The experience for me was a remarkable one being the youngest player on the team and every day, every session is a learning experience.”

Winchester has played for Trinidad and Tobago at the Under-15 and Under-17 levels, and he is anticipating an international cap in the near future.

“Yes, for sure I’m very excited because I’ve always wanted to play at the highest level,” he said. “This is something I’m really looking forward to and I hope to be ready when that day comes.”

The diminutive midfielder/striker was part of the Anton Corneal- coached national Under-17 team who featured in a miserable CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers in Mexico last year.

“I must say I didn’t give it my best and, for the rest of the team, we didn’t give it our all after the work we put in, day-in, day-out leading up to the tournament,” said Winchester. “What I can say is that those teams were more prepared than us. What we have to do is take it as a learning experience and not as a failure.”

Winchester recently went on trial stints with clubs in Portugal, and the teenager described his time there as “a great learning experience.”

He continued, “I gained a whole lot by seeing first-hand how professionals abroad operate in terms of how they take their work and leisure (time away from football).

“I also got to witness their attitude towards training, especially young players and coaches. Yes there is a chance of me going back out there and, with regards to any more interest from clubs out there, I haven’t heard anything.”

Describing Latapy as one of his football role models (the other one is Chelsea and Ivory Coast’s striker Didier Drogba), Winchester stated, “working under him (Latapy) has been great for me because the style of football he wants to play is the same way my club plays and it’s the same way I like to play the game.”

Concerning the current Pro League season, Winchester said, “it’s shaping up quite okay for me.

“It’s been a slow start for me but I have confidence that it will be a success for me and, yes, I definitely believe I can help W Connection attain more dominance and win some trophies this season.”

Stressing that “my ambition is to play in the English Premier League,” he ended the interview by revealing his strengths and weaknesses as a footballer.

“I consider my jumping ability and my speed to be among my assets and, of course, the confidence I have with the ball at my feet.

“My weakness is standing up when the ball is far from me and not being able to anticipate earlier instead of having to react,” Winchester continued. “I’m working on getting that right at the moment.”